Week number 20, hard to believe we are already here and in almost in August for that matter. But indeed the dust has settled on the All-Star break and it is time to get back to work for several MLS clubs this weekend.

Some clubs will get games in the middle of a long week like DC and Toronto. While a couple sides are off all together Chivas (thanks to the X-Games) and New York (thanks to the CCL). Then there is LA who host a big time friendly against FC Barcelona on Saturday.

Have the Revs turned a corner here on their season? The last two games would certainly suggest that. Plus now they get a Toronto side that could be a bit gassed from having to play in the CCL tournament this week. All signs could be pointing upward for Steve Nicol’s crew if they can get three points this weekend. With the games in hand they can certainly catch Toronto this weekend with a win. Another good thing for Revs fan, Toronto doesn’t score in New England. Three games at Gillett Stadium, three loss, 1 goal for and nine against. I see New England keeping up with that run this weekend. They’ll do good to control the pace of this game and find a way past a suspect Toronto defense. I do see TFC getting on the board with Ali Gerba though, he’s just the strker they’ve been looking for here. It’s just their defense isn’t good enough right now to win games on the road.

WVH Prediction: New England 2, Toronto 1

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Kansas City Wizards – at – FC Dallas:

What to make of Dallas now without Kenny Cooper? Well, we’ve pretty much gotten a good idea of that over the last month or so when he was gone at the Gold Cup. KC rolls into town looking for points and a way to get back into the playoff discussion here. No doubt this is a very do-or-die match for KC. They may have games in hand but they won’t get many chances to beat a club like Dallas for a while here. KC gets Jimmy Conrad and Davy Arnuad back in this one and that will be good enough to beat a Dallas squad looking for answers to close down Claudio Lopez and company. Dallas has to generate some offense early and keep KC off the board late. If Dave van den Burgh and Jeff Cunningham can do that Dallas may earn at least a point here. I’ll go with a draw just for that even though I kind of see KC walking out of Frisco with three points.

WVH Prediction: Dallas 1, KC 1

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Real Salt Lake – at – Chicago Fire:

Will RSL ever turn a corner for good on the road? Will Chicago start stepping up their play at home? I think those two questions will be answered this weekend in some way or another. Chicago has been so-so at home beating only San Jose and New York at Toyota Park. RSL on the other hand as we all know is not the best road side in the league. RSL hasn’t found consistent play on the road yet this season and even though Chicago hasn’t turned on the flames at home yet I do believe it starts this weekend. They need points to stay with Columbus and the rest of the top part of the eastern conference. Don’t count a draw out of this one though, with the way RSL scores they could do it early to Chicago the way they did it late to Dallas a week ago. Thing is with Wilman Conde and Bakery Soumare in the back I just don’t see RSL getting too many by the Fire this weekend. I’m going with the homeside here, but only by a narrow margin.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 1, RSL 0

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DC United – at – Houston Dynamo:

Probably game of the week material here. Both teams really do need a pick up based on recent form and I don’t see a reason why Houston won’t be the club to come out on top in this one. Dominic Kinnear will get the bulk of his lineup back from the Gold Cup and that should be enough for me at home. I see Houston controlling the midfield since DC will be without Clyde Simms. It will be interesting to see who has more gas in them though, DC who played midweek game in the CCL or Houston’s all-stars (Brad Davis and Geoff Cameron) who played a full 90 minutes against Everton. I think in the end Houston returns to winning because I just don’t see them dropping two in a row at home here. I do expect DC to make a run late though.

WVH Prediction: Houston 2, DC 1

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Columbus Crew – at – Colorado Rapids:

Columbus continues to prove to us all that they can win and win big without Gillermo Barros Schelotto. Thing is can they do it on the road in Colorado? Winning in the Mile High City is tough enough and with the way the Rapids played last week you can bet they are rested enough to do it again if Columbus let them. Jason Garey and Steven Lehart have stepped up bigger than ever and now the Crew get striker Alejandro Moreno back. I just don’t know if that will be enough to get three against the Rapids. A draw sounds good here in this one because the Rapids get Conor Casey back in the fold as well. Expect this to be the best game this weekend as these two battle to a very tough draw.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, Columbus 1

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Sunday:

Seattle Sounders FC – at – San Jose Earthquakes:

Seattle will be without Freddie Ljungberg in this one but I think the bigger loss in this game goes to San Jose who may be without striker Ryan Johnson. We’ve seen time and time again that this club is better with Johnson leading the attack. Without him they are pretty boring to watch up top. I expect Seattle to control this one from start to finish as they get Brad Evens back in the midfield from Gold Cup duties. He will be a difference maker for the Sounders in this one. Throw in the fact that San Jose has yet to really get much out of Darren Huckerby here so far this season makes me go with the visitors. Probably a goal from both Nate Jaqua and Fredy Montero sounds about right here.

WVH Prediction: Seattle 2, San Jose 0

SDM

I think you're right about the Rapids, especially if Casey plays like he did against Everton this week. He was a machine! I agree with most of your picks, although I have a feeling Dallas actually might get all three points against KC. Dallas is looking better, and KC seem to be going thru the motions at this point. The only question is, if nobody comes to see it, is it still a win?

SDM

I think you’re right about the Rapids, especially if Casey plays like he did against Everton this week. He was a machine! I agree with most of your picks, although I have a feeling Dallas actually might get all three points against KC. Dallas is looking better, and KC seem to be going thru the motions at this point. The only question is, if nobody comes to see it, is it still a win?